Lab Safety 

• STUDENT LAB SAFETY CONTRACT
  HMS Science Department
  Purpose
  The Science curriculum at Hellgate Intermediate School is a hands-on laboratory experience.  Students will be asked to participate in some activities which require the use of hazardous chemicals and/or potentially dangerous equipment.  Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents.  To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of guidelines has been developed and provided to you in this student safety contract.  These rules must be followed at all times.  In addition to your student spending time in the classroom learning these specific safety standards, we ask that you read through the rules carefully and sign a contract agreeing to abide by these guidelines in order to safely participate in our curriculum.    PLEASE RETURN THE SIGNED AGREEMENT TO YOUR SCIENCE TEACHER.
  General Guidelines

  1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.

  2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully.  If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding.

  3. Never work alone.  No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

  4. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.

  5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory.  Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.

  6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor.  Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor.  Carefully follow all instructions, both written and verbal: Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

  7. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory.  Read all the procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.  Never fool around in the laboratory.  Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

  8. Observe good housekeeping practices.  Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.  Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area.  Other materials (books, purses, backpacks etc.) should be stored in the classroom area.

  9. Keep the aisles clear.  Push your chair under the desk when not in use.  

  10. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket.  Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.

  11. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory.  Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

  12. Dispose of all chemical waste properly.  Never mix chemicals in sink drains.  Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor.  Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink.

  13. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use.  Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.    

  14. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all the experiments.  Clean (with detergent), rinse and wipe dry all work surfaces (including the sink) and apparatus at the end of the experiment.  Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.

  15. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times.  You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work.  Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.

  16. Students are never permitted in the science storage room or preparation room unless given specific permission by their instructor.

  17. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, any electrical equipment turned off.

  18. When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry tips and points pointing down and away.  Always cut away from your body.  Never try to catch falling sharp instruments.  Grab sharp instruments only by the handles.

• Clothing

  1. Any time chemicals, heat or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles.  There will be no exceptions to this rule!

  2. Dress properly during a laboratory activity.  Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory.  Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured.  

  3. Lab aprons have been provided for your use and should be worn during laboratory activities when needed.

• Accidents and Injuries

  1. Report any accidents (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.

  2. If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes.  Notify the instructor immediately.

• Handline Chemicals

  1. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous.  Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.  The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you.

  2. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.

  3. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the containers away from your body.

  4. Acids must be handled with extreme care.  

  5. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.

  6. Take great care when transferring acids and other chemicals from one part of the laboratory to another.  Hold them securely and walk carefully.

• Handling Glassware and Equipment

  1. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position to minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury.

  2. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.  Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass.  Place broken or waste glassware in the designated glass disposal container. Inform teacher immediately about broken glass.

  3. When removing electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord.  Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.

  4. Examine glassware before each use.  Never use chipped or cracked glassware.  Never use dirty glassware.  

  5. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately.  Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections.  Do not use damaged electrical equipment.

  6. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.

  7. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.

• Heating Substances

  1. Exercise extreme caution when using a hot plate.  Take care that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the experiment at all times

  2. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended.  Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.

  3. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids in test tubes.  Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else.

  4. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time.  They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution.  Use tongs or heat-protective gloves if necessary.

  5. Never look into a container that is being heated.

  6. Allow plenty of time for a hot apparatus to cool before touching it.

In addition to these general guidelines, ALWAYS abide by any additional safety procedures provided by your instructor at the time of an activity.